Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha who lived in the 5th century BCE. Buddhism spread throughout the ancient Indian sub-continent in the five centuries following his death, and propagated into Central, Southeast, and East Asia over the next two millennia. Today, Buddhism continues to attract followers worldwide, and, with around 376 million followers, it is considered a major world religion.

In general, the aim of Buddhist practice is to end all kinds of suffering in life. To achieve this state, adherents seek to purify and train the mind by following the Noble Eightfold Path, and eventually to find Nirvana, the true knowledge of reality and thus attain liberation.